thanks in part to his energetic predecessor john paul ii. >> he said, i do not know of i am up to this but i will give it my best shot and he has done well for almost eight years. >> many feel the next pope got to be more charismatic and stronger. >> that a man in the full possession of his physical powers is going to be there. >> the college of cardinals will fill the responsibility. >> i do not know what else to do. i will wait instructions like everyone else. >> he steps down february 28. after that the cardinals will elect a new pope who will face something new. the living former public looking over his shoulder. >> are you hearing any prospects for who is likely to replace him? >> there is a short list. i will take off three names. two west african cardinals. and the canadian mark walette. acardinal ratzinger is pope benedict xvi. he was on the short list. if you look at the current short list, remember this. looking at the west africans and the canadian. there has not been a non- european pulp in -- including cardinal ratzinger. there has not been a non- europeans since the middl